Champagne house Vranken-Pommery Monopole, has reported an “intrusion” into its computer network.
In a statement issued yesterday (3 March), the listed group said all its servers were “immediately disconnected and shut down” to ensure security.
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The maker of Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne said: “All necessary measures have been taken to restore activity as quickly and securely as possible.”
The Reims-based family business, managing 2,600ha across four vineyards, has mobilised its teams and experts to maintain partial operations.
“The Vranken-Pommery Monopole teams, accompanied by experts, are fully mobilised to continue partial operations in order to minimise the impact on our customers and partners. We are in close contact with them and with the relevant authorities, pending a return to normal operations in the next few days,” the company added.
Just Drinks has approached Vranken-Pommery Monopole for more details on the breach, including whether the company knows its source and whether data had been extracted.
The company pointed this publication to its prepared statement.
In January, the group reported a 10.5% decline in consolidated sales for 2024 to €302.9m ($315.9m).
Vranken-Pommery Monopole pointed to the context of declining volumes in the sector and lower harvest yields.
Poor weather meant the regions in which Vranken-Pommery is present saw yields drop by 30% to 40% compared to 2023, the company said.
The group, which also markets other sparkling wines and Port, saw its Champagne sales fall 9.5% to €263.2m.
France made up a third of Vranken-Pommery’s sales. Outside its domestic market, the company said most were “down” but it saw growth in the Benelux and Australia. It described its North American sales as “stable” year on year.
In July, the group adopted a more selective approach to distribution, reducing exposure to lower-profit cuvées.
Restating its sales for the move meant Vranken-Pommery’s Champagne sales fell 5.7% versus 2023, it said.
Furthermore, the introduction of premium cuvées, such as Pommery & Greno’s Apanage Brut 1874, supported the company’s premiumisation efforts, contributing to an improved average Champagne price.
Sales from Vranken-Pommery’s Wines division dropped 20.1%, with the company citing poor summer weather.
The group’s sales of Port and Douro wines declined 18.4% reduction in sales, with “strong international growth” failing to offset lower sales in France and the EU.
In December, Vranken-Pommery Monopole promoted deputy CEO Nathalie Vranken to CEO, replacing her husband Paul-François Vranken.
